Page 17 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

Chapter

Fourteen

ELANNA

W hen the sun was in the midday sky, they rested. Elanna’s behind ached, her legs wobbled, and her head throbbed as she found a spot behind a collection of trees to use the privy.

No one had mentioned Hux, and she wondered if Tolvar was gladdened to be rid of his man-at-arms. She still hadn’t Seen anything of the Deogolian. Why did that bother her?

Even with the stars veiled in the daylight, Elanna found a serenity in this open land. Under the blue sky devoid of a single cloud, fields stretched as far as she could peer, the tops of butterwheat stalks swayed in the breeze. There was no sign of anyone in any direction. She took it in.

Stars, the world is enormous.

“What is our plan, Sir Tolvar?” she asked when she sat with the others eating dried venison and wild stellaberries that Gus had discovered.

Stellaberries were the first fruit of the spring season.

They were white and speckled with tiny black seeds.

Despite their name, they were shaped like a lumpy bell.

The taste was juicy sweet unless they were picked too soon, which made them tangy and a bit tart.

These berries were not early, but not inedible .

“We cannot go near Garreth,” Tolvar replied, referring to Ashwin’s border city.

“We’ll cut northeast of there and journey through the south country of Askella.

We shall stop in Karutown and mayhap Tam’s Ford.

As it is my land, we should have a reprieve if we’re still pursued.

I’ve no doubt we are. But I dare not go so north as Thorindale in case the Order of Siria goes straight there.

We’ll cut through the Emryn Forest and into the province of Anscom. ”

“Not to Blagdon?” Elanna asked. That city was near the size of Asalle. Though mayhap being in a bigger city was better. Elanna suddenly grew hot. These places Tolvar spoke of, she’d Seen them, aye, but ne’er seen them.

StarSeers aren’t meant to act.

She’d considered the enormity of the world moments ago simply peering around a field. And they were still in Ashwin’s province.

“Most likely not Blagdon. Coe seems like a safer bet, but I shall decide once we are on Anscom’s land. From Anscom, ’tis a four-day journey, at most, to Asalle.”

Elanna nodded, her smile feeling false. But it grew confident.

She had Seen herself in Asalle, the city towering over her as she rode through the streets to the sovereign’s castle.

True, she was overcome, but her fortune lay before her now; the stars positioned a path—like invisible stepping stones—she could not yet See, but trusted all the same.

“What about Hux?” she asked before she could stop herself. There was no reason for her to concern herself. Except she felt responsible he’d been left behind, of course. And there was an unusual quality about him that she had yet to finish deciding upon.

The others passed each other knowing glances.

“In truth, we hoped he would connect with us here,” Tolvar said. “We shall give him another hour, but then we must press on.”

“There are two more rendezvous places where he may yet meet us, but if he doesn’t appear, we may have to assume the Order of Siria captured him,” Joss added .

“Mayhap,” Tolvar said. “Or mayhap he is in the wind now.” He shook his head. “I should ne’er have brought him here.”

No one responded. Had Elanna Seen something of Hux’s future she would have tried to put Tolvar at ease.

Mayhap she hadn’t Seen anything of the Deogolian because there was nothing, whether it meant that they would never meet again or worse, that there was no fortune to See because his path of life had ended.

The Order would not kill him, would they?

“You four take rest before we must be on our way again,” Tolvar said. “I shall take watch.”

The clap of thunder was practically on top of the lightning that flashed as they entered Tam’s Ford.

Elanna could not keep her shoulders from slumping.

Tired. She was so tired. And now she was soaked through.

Her traveling cloak had done naught in this storm to protect her.

The shift under her gown was heavy with rainwater.

They dismounted at the inn, the wooden sign naming this place “The Draggy Hollow” swinging in the wind.

The torch affixed next to the entrance had long been doused by the rain, as had many of the lanterns along the town’s main road.

Another flash of lightning lit the faces of Elanna’s companions, and she was relieved that Gus and Barrett appeared as exhausted as she.

“Take the horses,” Tolvar said, handing Valko’s reins to Barrett. Elanna gave over Rasa’s to Gus. “We shall meet you inside.

“Aye, m’lord,” Gus said and disappeared with Barrett and the horses into the rainy night.

His hand on the door, Tolvar eyed Elanna. “Remember your story.”

“Aye, I’m not daft. Though I do not know why you insist it matters, Sir Tolvar. Who would harm a StarSeer?”

Both he and Joss shushed her mightily.

“As I said in Karutown, I do not think anyone would, but I haven’t managed to escape enough ordeals to fill a tome by not employing caution. ”

“You know they can sense it?” Elanna wiped rainwater off her face. “As you did when we met. And those two nights ago when no one could cease staring at me. I cannot hide it.”

Tolvar glared. “Try.”

They entered the inn.

’Twas a small inn, furnished more simply than where they’d stayed in Karutown.

It consisted of a half-dozen round tables with wooden stools surrounding each.

The room was half full, and most of the patrons sat near a large fireplace crackling on the other end.

A few men glimpsed up and surveyed her, Tolvar, and Joss, standing at the entrance still hooded, before returning to their cups.

Elanna examined the room, hoping to find Hux, but he wasn’t there. The Draggy Hollow was the last rendezvous place that’d been prearranged. Her heart sank to think she may have been his demise.

Mayhap he shall still turn up.

The innkeep came forward and spoke to Tolvar, offering them two rooms and supper. Tolvar and Joss exchanged glances. They’d hoped for at least three rooms but ’twas better than the one they’d shared in Karutown.

“No matter,” Tolvar said to Joss. “Two of us will stand guard at all times.”

The innkeep directed them to a rack of pegs on which to hang their dripping cloaks, then to a table. Shortly after, he brought over a drying cloth to share amongst them and three pints of ale. Tolvar pushed his away and asked the innkeep to bring him dew tea instead.

“Dew tea?” the innkeep raised an eyebrow. “Are you certain, sir knight?”

“Quite certain,” Tolvar said, then turned to Elanna. “For you, too?”

Elanna had admitted in Karutown she’d never had a drink of liquor before. Gus had given a slight snicker, but Tolvar only nodded and ordered dew tea for her and himself. Elanna was surprised that the famed knight did not indulge himself. Although, what did she know?

She studied the amber liquid in front of her. StarSeers were not exactly forbidden to drink liquor but abstained as a habit to keep their heads clear.

Elanna nodded to the waiting innkeep.

“I’ll see if I can round up some herbs,” the innkeep said, his shoulders sagged as he hurried off.

Gus and Barrett joined them. A barmaid brought over seasoned quail and soupy-looking roots.

Elanna slicked back the wet pieces of hair that had come loose from her plait.

Tolvar had insisted she braid her hair so as to decrease the stares.

It felt strange pulled back and not hanging down to her waist, but she complied.

They were certain the Order of Siria pursued them.

Still, Tolvar needed to give up this tiring idea that ’twas her hair drawing attention and not simply her starlit essence.

So far, thank the stars, no one here paid them heed.

Elanna found being around so much noise jarring.

Aura Hall was a solemn, quiet place. She scanned the room, wondering what card game was being played at a nearby table.

A crash from the other side of the room—making Tolvar and his knights tense—caused several men to erupt in laughter.

A few choice curse words were belted out in return.

Joss, Barrett, and Gus swapped stories, cheeks growing rosy and laughter growing louder as they emptied their second cups.

Tolvar sat sipping his tea in silence, eyeing the room nonchalantly.

Elanna knew from her observation of Tolvar over the past week that he had memorized every face in the room, could tell the instant someone left, which men were locals, and which were travelers.

The Wolf is a man of observation.

“Oi,” a voice called. A scruffy, short man stood at their table, his plump belly bumping into Joss. “I say. You look familiar. Do I know you?”

At first, Elanna was certain he spoke to her. That he’d recognized her as a StarSeer. Her second inclination was he spoke to Tolvar.

In Karutown, three people had approached Tolvar, recognizing the famed knight who sat amongst them, but couldn’t place his face. Elanna had smirked, wondering about their reaction if they discovered not only the famous Wolf but also their new earl in their midst.

Not to mention, they know not that a StarSeer sits amongst them, she had thought .

But Tolvar had already forbade her from revealing herself.

She’d Seen a few fortunes of strangers in Karutown and even wished to speak to one, an old man who was about to be evicted from his dwelling for not paying back rent.

The poor man would never know it was due to his son robbing him rather than paying the landlord unless she revealed it.

But Tolvar had told her nay. ’Twas enough they were pursued.

Their only hope was to reach Asalle before the Order of Siria did and beg King Rian to give them asylum.

They did not need added complications, he’d stated.